Charice’s Father Murdered in the Philippines

Police have learned that Charice‘s estranged father, 40-year-old Ricky Pempengco, has been murdered in her hometown of Laguna in the Philippines. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Police Senior Supt. Gilbert Cruz said that Charice’s father was stabbed on Monday night while shopping at a store in San Pedro township.

The officers released details of the murder on Tuesday, saying that Pempengco accidentally brushed up against a drunk man while inside the shop. The man became angered and proceeded to stab Pempengco with an ice pick in the back and chest, killing him almost instantly. Cruz said that the killing appeared to be completely random, with no prior history between Pempengco and his killer.

The man who murdered Pempengco is still on the loose, and police are tirelessly searching for him. They have also announced a reward of 20,000 pesos ($470) for anyone who can help with the suspect’s apprehension.

After getting word of the news, Charice canceled her scheduled performance at the David Foster and Friends concert and returned to the Philippines. She tweeted, “I am very sorry to all my fans from Singapore. I am not going to be there to be part of David Foster and Friends concert. I have to go back to the Philippines as soon as possible to be with my family. I hope you all understand. I love you all and I will see you next year.”

‘Glee‘ star and ‘Louder’ songstress Charice, 19, and her father did not have a close relationship. According to Billboard, Charice’s mother left her father when Charice and her younger brother were very young. Although they were estranged, Charice is still saddened by her father’s death, tweeting, “I loved him and I will still love him. He’s still my Dad after all.”